American shoppers are buying freezers in record numbers. Across the country, shoppers bought more than 1.1 million freezers during the first six months of the year; this represents a 7% increase in sales over last year at the very same time. That doesn’t sound like much, 7%, but it is about $400 million in freezer sales. A huge figure when you stop to consider the sales of other household items.
This means that Americans on average, now have about 1 in 2 homes equipped with a stand alone freezer, to combat the high cost of food prices.
The economy continues to erode. You can add the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. to the list of entities that may be in line for a Treasury Department bail-out, The Wall Street Journal reports, following an interview with the agency’s chairwoman.
The FDIC is a bit cash-strapped these days as it props up failing banks across the country. It announced on Tuesday that 117 ailing banks are now under its care and that the FDIC holds an astounding $78 billion in distressed bank assets.
The Guardian points this out. And, The New York Times says it is so, the FDIC sees the banking crisis going from bad to worse. Today’s political news isn’t much better … Our government truly deserves to be dismantled … Little taste of it here.
But take note, all the news is not bad. Wendy’s announced the national rollout of a 99-cent double cheeseburger with two beef patties and one slice of cheese, competing with the value meal menus from Burger King and McDonalds.
Now if only we can find the buck?
Been following this bad news in the Soviet Union republic of Georgia. Haven’t figured out how this will play out on the price of a gallon of gasoline, but I am sure they will work it in, one way or the other. I also read where all of the Wal-Marts across Alabama sold out of ammunition as of yesterday. A reliable source said that one of the purchasers commented that while Russia may have invaded Georgia, they sure as hell ain’t doin’ it to Alabama!
This N That … Living off the grid in the deep south.
Nice Payday. University of Central Arkansas President Lu Hardin who has been plagued by criticism over a $300K bonus resigned and will get a buyout package of some $700K more. That will teach him!
Okay, I have plugged in the stereo headphones and cranked up the volume! (Who wants to hear what the grandchildren have to say anyway?) Buckle up! It might just get freaky.
Here is another good payday story, one that is even better.
In Fort Jefferson, New York, a churchgoer donated a lottery ticket to the True North Community Church after scratching it off, the pastor noted that the ticket was worth $3 million dollars. State lottery officials said the church will receive at least $102,225 a year through the year 2028.
Most lottery winners take the “cash option” as no one knows what the tax structure will be in twenty-years. So they opt for the cash option and take a considerable loss. But if you are “tax exempt” you can take the payout option and receive the “entire amount of the prize.” As you don’t pay taxes anyway, so you can afford to wait it out. Must be nice huh?
Local Malcontent and The Dustbury both local Oklahoma bloggers are at odd’s with each other over the definition of funny. Post on it here. Just depends on how you look at it. It is either ironic or it is funny.
A twenty-six year old was arrested for attempted armed robbery in Long Beach California yesterday. Witnesses were able to ID the dumb crook by a distinctive tattoo on his forearm. It read: “Not Guilty.”
Maybe it is just me, but I put that one down under the “funny side” of life.
Big Archaeology find . . . After having dug to a depth of 10 feet last year, New York scientists found traces of copper wire dating back 100 years and came to the conclusion, that their ancestors already had a telephone network more than 100 years ago.
Not to be outdone by the New Yorkers, in the weeks that followed, a California archaeologist dug to a depth of 20 feet, and shortly after, a story in the LA Times read: “California archaeologists, finding traces of 200 year old copper wire, have concluded that their ancestors already had an advanced high-tech communications network a hundred years earlier than the New Yorkers.”
One week later, my daily paper, quite possibly the absolute worst newspaper in the USA, reported the following: After digging as deep as 300 feet in his pasture near Mustang, Oklahoma, Billy Raye Littler, a self-taught archaeologist, reported that he found absolutely nothing. Billy Raye has therefore concluded that 300 years ago, Oklahoma had already gone wireless.
Thank God for Billy Raye Littler. Who said Okies were hicks? Someone needs to apologize to Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi if you ask me. I wonder if they give their kids three names too?
Not knowing if any of this was amusing or not, it is time to pack it in. Now I suppose it is time to slink off to my ever faithful lawn-chair on the front porch, my personal arcadia which I hope will be a region or scene of simple pleasure and quiet.
My little sleepy community of serene peace, where I can separate the toils, troubles, politics of the world and all the dogs are down for a mid morning nap.
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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: “As the American Economy continues to erode, and because of budget restraints. The Lite At The End of The Tunnel, has been turned off. Please be advised.”
